Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Software

Process automation is about the automation of operational processes. Plants, machines or equipment are to be enabled to work automatically. The computers and programs used usually include options for importing and exporting process signals and for recording, processing and outputting process data. In the context of process automation, robot-controlled process automation, machine learning, cognitive computing or advanced learning are also used, for example.

This market overview lists current software solutions for the automation of business processes. Robotic process automation (RPA) describes digital robots that can handle processes fully autonomously. For this purpose, rule-based and structured data, such as repetitive uploads and downloads or data entries into an ERP system, are processed via the user interface of the process-supporting robotic software.

In contrast to business process management, process automation does not revise or optimize the underlying process itself; process automation refers solely to the automation of existing processes.

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What is process automation?

In the age of digitization, processes should be automated rather than manual. The automatic execution of processes is achieved through the use of software and device resources. For this purpose, the devices and programs require interfaces and options for the import and export of process signals as well as the acquisition, processing and output of process data.

What is RPA?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the automation of business processes with the help of software robots. These digital robots work through repetitive processes in a structured and rule-based manner. They act on the graphical user interface and execute actions there directly. In principle, these actions and clicks are comparable to those of human users. Therefore, no special interfaces are required for the use of the software robots. The bots take over the tasks and roles of human users and interact with other software systems.

Advantages of RPA software

RPA software usually includes tools for recording and executing processes. During the introduction of the RPA software, the first processes to be automated are selected. In most cases, the respective process is also put to the test again and further optimized during this selection. Through automation, tasks are executed faster and thus usually more cost-effectively. Virtual employees (bots) are far more affordable than a human employee and are available around the clock. Among other things, automation also helps with documentation in the areas of compliance as well as with the security of systems in general.

Process optimization within the scope of the introduction
Increase process efficiency
Easily scale RPA robots as workloads increase
Automated documentation for higher security in compliance
Cost savings in processes

Example processes for RPA

There are many different options for process automation using RPA. RPA can be used throughout the entire company. Example processes can be found in finance, human resources, and information technology, among others.

Finance

Quotation
Price comparison
Risk and portfolio management
Financial planning
Financial analysis
Invoice processing
Invoicing
Spending analysis

Human resources

Payroll accounting
HR Analyses
Absence management
Document management
Travel costs and expenses
Master data management
Onboarding

Fault management
Backups
IT Support
Access management
Service request management
Tests

Typical functions of RPA software

Process identification

Automation workflows

Separate work environments

User permissions and roles

Draft process records

Troubleshooting

Dashboard for management and monitoring

Robot planning

Start of the robots

Robot management

Rule-based exception handling

Logs / Log files

Tips and question suggestions

More tips and question suggestions for evaluating RPA software:

When selecting an RPA tool, pay attention to how the software recognizes and defines process steps and process components! For example, can user actions be recorded and analyzed?
Ask the vendor about machine learning capabilities, e.g., for defining process rules. Can the RPA software learn independently, can processes be automated faster and more comfortably over time?
Check the integration capability with your existing systems. Is the system compatible with the environment in which the tool will run?
Ask the vendor about the services offered during and after the implementation of the RPA tool.
Check if there is a clear design studio for bots! Does the tool include an easy way to set up RPA workflows based on recognized tasks? What is the scope of the programming work to be done? For example, are bot libraries available to support the design flow?
Ask the vendor about bot maintenance and management features! When choosing, look for an intelligent command and control center for bots. This control center is used to monitor and manage the technical and functional performance of the bots. The center should automatically alert your experts when problems occur.
When selecting an RPA tool, pay attention to usability! It should be easy to use and flexible enough to support basic automation processes. It should be user-friendly and easy to control. For example, are there roles for different user groups? Administrators, for example, could then have all programming functions at their disposal, while business analysts without programming knowledge can also use the tool.
Ask the vendor about exception handling techniques! The RPA tool should have a well-designed exception handling procedure. Errors should be quickly detected during automation. If the errors detected do not require human attention, these errors should be able to be handled automatically.

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